Wallabies coach gives away little of style or substance

Robbie Deans becomes man of mystery to keep Lions coach guessing

THERE has never been a Lions tour quite like this one. The tourists are heading towards the first Test on Saturday without thinking of fielding what would be regarded as a Test team in any of their warm-up matches, while Australia’s side and intentions are shrouded in mystery.

From Tim Horan to Ewen McKenzie, from John Eales to Michael Cheika, opinions are split on who will start for the Wallabies and how they intend to play. For every supporter of the creative inside-centre skills of Christian Lealiifano there is someone banging the drum for the defence of Pat McCabe (who has been Lealiifano’s back-up for the Brumbies). For every expert extolling the lineout calling of Rob Simmons there is another demanding the greater physical presence of Kane Douglas. And so it goes on.

Much fuss is being made over what the Lions are keeping under wraps; well, the Wallabies are